Megliola: Red Sox' redemption story needs final chapter

The scope of Red Sox ambition has a wide range. Some people can see the Red Sox and Dodgers, meeting this weekend, getting together again in the World Series. On the flip side, there are the worried minds that fear another September collapse will keep the Red Sox out of the postseason once more.

By Lenny Megliola/Special to the News

Milford Daily News

By Lenny Megliola/Special to the News

Posted Aug. 23, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 23, 2013 at 11:23 PM

By Lenny Megliola/Special to the News

Posted Aug. 23, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 23, 2013 at 11:23 PM

» Social News

The scope of Red Sox ambition has a wide range. Some people can see the Red Sox and Dodgers, meeting this weekend, getting together again in the World Series. On the flip side, there are the worried minds that fear another September collapse will keep the Red Sox out of the postseason once more.

Me, I’m easy. All I’ve ever asked of the Red Sox was to play meaningful games in September. If they break my heart, well, it wouldn’t be the first time. Happened a lot until 2004. We’re all going to be focused on the Patriots next month, but there is always emotional space for a Red Sox run at the playoffs too. Bring it on!

Meaningful Red Sox games in September suggest they’ve been fun to watch during spring and summer. September contenders either step up or step back. It’s like a golfer putting for dough. You gotta finish. No gimmes.

The Red Sox have come this far. No question it’d be a bummer if they’re not playing in October. If they don’t make it, I don’t think fans are just going to blow it off with "Well, they were a likeable team anyway. They tried." It won’t be that simple.

Sure, it’s true that even the most deeply clairvoyant couldn’t have seen the Red Sox in this position as August wound down. It’s also true that fans get greedy; the more they get, the more they want. There’s no "nice try" at the end. Just ask Bruins fans.

You’re in or you’re not. Rainbow or dark skies.

Excuses won’t work. The Red Sox lost two closers to season-ending injuries? Too bad. They had to hold in-season auditions to get a guy to play third base, then traded Jose Iglesias, who played the position better than anybody? Boo hoo. Clay Buchholz, their best pitcher, seemingly on hold for what seems forever? Suck it up. Manager John Farrell in the throes of a pennant chase for the first time? Check the Adam’s apple for excessive throbbing.

It’s Aug. 24. The Red Sox aren’t playing with house money anymore.

That Farrell and Ben Cherington are candidates for manager and general manager of the year respectively, speaks to how much this team has risen from the hellhole 69-win season. Cherington cleared out all the bad eggs (two of whom you’re watching in Dodger blue this weekend) allowing Farrell to run a clean ship. It’s no coincidence that Alfredo Aceves isn’t here anymore.

Farrell probably wishes Ryan Dempster hadn’t hit Alex Rodriguez — could be wrong about this — but for sure the manager wasn’t happy with David Ortiz calling out Dempster. The Dempster-A-Rod thing took on a life of its own. It made Letterman’s Top 10 list. Notoriety doesn’t get any more boldfaced than that.

Page 2 of 2 - Here’s my top 5 Red Sox MVP list:

1) Dustin Pedroia. Just because. Any argument?

2) Big Papi. No one saw these numbers coming. Only problem is, now he might want a 10-year contract like Pedroia

3) John Lackey. I know, he doesn’t even have a winning record. But his 3.22 ERA (going into Friday’s start) speaks volumes. What about Felix Doubront, you ask? OK, who’d you want starting a big, big game the last week of the season, Doubront or Lackey?

4) Koji Uehara. Could Joel Hanrahan or Andrew Bailey done any better?

5) Shane Victorino. A few more homers would be nice, but he’s played hurt and yet spectacularly in the field (plus he’s got an arm!). His average has hung around .290.

Jon Lester faces the Dodgers on Saturday night. Maybe he can take his recent resurgence to another level. Or at least maintain it. Jake Peavy goes Sunday, then the Red Sox come home to close out August. We don’t have September to fear, do we?